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Why Are Security Cameras So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

By William Butterworth March 12, 2023

Three Security cameras frontal view on concrete wall

 

Security cameras can make you feel safer at home or ensure your business is safe.

With constant innovations in software and hardware, security cameras are more advanced than ever.

However, they’ve also become more expensive than ever.

 

Why Are Security Cameras So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

CCTV Security Camera

 

The average price of a high-quality security camera typically runs between $200 and $400.

Security cameras are expensive due to the costs of developing certain features, subscription plans, and external costs associated with owning a security camera.

Let’s look at these factors in more detail.

 

1. Motion Detection Capabilities

Security Camera, CCTV on location

 

One of the features that some security cameras possess is the ability to detect motion.

A security camera might activate the moment it detects motion.

It will track the person or the cause of the motion until they’re out of the camera’s range.

Other motion detection cameras will notify the owner that it’s detected motion.

The individual can then check their phone or the device, itself, to determine if the motion is a threat.

Motion detection is a useful feature in security cameras since it can help save on costs.

It also keeps businesses from needing to hire a security guard or homeowners from constantly having to stay vigilant.

The problem with security cameras that have motion detection is that they’re quite expensive.

The parts and technology needed for motion detection aren’t always cheap.

The more expensive the parts and technology, the better the motion detector is.

It might be able to distinguish between people and animals, for example.

Since the cost of making a security camera that can detect motion is more expensive, the final price is also going to be expensive.

The price has to cover the costs of production plus earn the company a profit.

Security cameras are expensive because motion detection can be expensive to develop and implement.

 

2. Facial Recognition Capabilities

Faces Recognized With Intellectual Learning System

 

Some security cameras go a step beyond motion detection.

They’re actually able to recognize faces.

These security cameras are often installed in homes.

Some advanced cameras enable homeowners to simply approach their homes and have the front door unlock for them.

The camera will scan their face, recognize them, then send a signal to the door to unlock.

The homeowner doesn’t have to do anything.

Law enforcement might also use security cameras that have facial recognition features.

Those cameras can help the police locate a suspect easier.

These cameras can scan the faces that pass by so police can review the footage to see if a suspect they are searching for was in the area.

Businesses might also find facial recognition helpful.

If a business gets burglarized, then the camera might have caught the face of the thief.

That information can then be sent to the police.

Facial recognition is still a relatively new technology.

As such, the hardware and software behind it are still relatively expensive.

Since it costs a bit of money to make a security camera capable of recognizing faces, such cameras are also going to be quite expensive.

Security cameras are expensive because some are capable of facial recognition which is expensive to implement.

 

3. Night Vision Capabilities

Online Security CCTV camera surveillance system

 

Night vision is another feature that more expensive security cameras possess.

While some cheaper security cameras might also have night vision, it’s not always clear.

It might also not have a decent range.

At most, you might be able to make out some shapes in the dark.

High-quality security cameras, on the other hand, usually show quite sharp images—even in the dark.

While the image likely won’t be as clear as footage taken during the day, most high-quality cameras do a decent job of making out more distinguishing features.

You might be able to see the face of a person, for example, even if not in the greatest detail.

Since most crimes tend to occur at night, it’s important for a security camera to have night vision.

Otherwise, all it will record is blackness.

The problem with high-quality security cameras with night vision is that they can be very expensive.

The better the image resolution it has, the more expensive it’s going to be.

That’s because high-quality night vision usually requires very specific and expensive parts.

Those parts are usually made from expensive materials.

Since the cost of producing the security camera is high, the price of the security camera is also high.

Security cameras are expensive because high-quality night vision features are expensive to make.

 

4. Outdoor Material Costs

CCTV camera

 

There are two different types of security cameras.

There are those that operate indoors and those that operate outdoors.

Outdoor security cameras are often a bit more expensive than indoor security cameras.

That’s because they are made with extra materials that allow them to function outside.

Electronic security cameras typically won’t do well outside without protection.

Rain, snow, and even wind can damage the security camera.

Exposure to water, in particular, can cause a short in the security camera’s wiring or cause it to lose its picture.

The wind can kick up debris which can hit the camera and damage it.

To avoid damage, outdoor security camera companies house the camera in some sort of protective case.

The case is usually waterproof and quite durable.

It also protects the camera from direct exposure to the sun and its UV rays.

As a result, the security camera is able to function outside without too many problems.

Waterproof cases and other protective measures can be expensive to manufacture, however.

It’s an addition that indoor security cameras don’t need.

Since this sort of protection costs a bit more, outdoor security cameras are on the expensive side.

Security cameras are expensive because outdoor cameras require additional protection which increases the cost of manufacturing them.

 

5. Integration Capabilities With Other Security Devices

Surveillance cameras

 

Some security cameras come as part of a set.

You can buy the camera on its own or also buy the set.

You can also buy the set at a later time and slowly upgrade your security system.

Either way, a security camera that can integrate with other security systems tends to be more expensive.

That’s because it requires a bit more work to make it compatible with other systems.

Yet, despite the expense, this is still appealing to some customers who already have a smart home and need to add a camera.

As such, they might be willing to pay more money for it.

To them, it’s worth the extra money.

Security cameras are expensive when they’re able to integrate with other security systems.

 

6. Support Subscription Plans

Subscription service

 

Some security companies offer an additional customer support subscription plan along with the company’s security camera.

In particular, customer service can help owners troubleshoot any problems they may have with the camera.

They can even help with first-time installation.

Customer service can also potentially alert authorities when the security camera detects a threat.

If the owner can’t manage the camera on their own, then this can be a helpful service to have.

Companies that offer this type of support tend to have subscription plans that the customer needs to pay for in addition to the security camera.

This makes security cameras expensive because to subscribe to a plan, customers need to make an ongoing payment to get the most out of their cameras.

A security camera company might offer a subscription plan for customer service because it’s a way of paying the employees who provide the service.

Some security camera companies might also offer additional benefits based on the subscription plan.

As such, your subscription plan could become quite expensive.

Security cameras are expensive because some of them come with customer support subscription plans.

 

7. Video Recording And Saving Subscription Plans

Man looking at home security cameras on tablet

 

While some security companies will offer a subscription plan for customer service, others might offer one for video recording or saving videos.

The ability to record and save videos can be quite important for some people.

Business owners, for example, might find it helpful if a break-in occurs.

The owner can save the video of the burglar.

Homeowners might also find the service helpful in the event of a break-in.

This makes security cameras expensive for a few reasons.

The first is that paying to save videos is an ongoing cost after you buy the security camera.

You’re still, essentially, paying for your camera.

Another reason is that it requires the company to provide some sort of storage for customers.

It might be physical storage like servers or cloud storage.

Either way, the company is going to have to pay for it.

The more people who want to save videos, the more storage space the company needs.

Since the company has to take on higher costs, its subscription plans and security camera prices are going to be higher.

Some subscription plans might also increase in price depending on how much storage you need.

As such, you might end up facing high monthly payments to get the most out of your security camera.

Security cameras are expensive when they have subscription plans that allow you to save your video feeds.

 

8. Installation And Maintenance Costs

Technician installing CCTV camera for security

 

After buying a high-quality security camera, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need a professional to install it.

You might not have the means of reaching the area where you want to put it.

The camera might be large and heavy.

It may require a direct connection to your electricity.

Whatever the reason, you may need to hire the company to perform an installation service in addition to your security camera costs.

This makes security cameras expensive because installation is just one more thing you have to pay for.

The benefit is that you know that the camera is correctly installed.

You don’t have to worry about it malfunctioning or not working at all.

Security cameras are expensive when you need to add an installation service on top of the original purchase price.

 

9. High Video Resolution

home camera cctv monitoring

 

One of the most important aspects of a security camera is its video resolution.

Most security experts will recommend buying a camera that has 1080 pixels, at least.

However, some people want the clearest picture possible.

They might choose security cameras that have 2k or even 4k picture quality.

These resolutions offer almost picture-perfect images.

They make it extremely easy to distinguish features of a person’s face.

The better the resolution the camera has, the more expensive it tends to be.

That’s because the camera requires higher-quality parts.

There might also be a greater customer interest level in such cameras.

People who want the best picture possible might be willing to pay more for them.

Security cameras are expensive because high-resolution cameras are a bit more expensive to make.

 

10. Power Costs

CCTV security camera and lamp lighting

 

The type of power system that the security camera requires can also determine how expensive it is.

For example, a security camera that attaches to your electrical system might draw a lot of energy.

You might have higher energy bills as a result.

Other cameras might use batteries.

In this case, you could end up spending a lot of money on batteries.

Either way, security cameras that use a lot of power can be expensive, too.

This is an ongoing expense since it will last until you remove or shut down your camera.

Security cameras are expensive because the cost of powering them can become quite expensive.

Filed Under: Electronics

About William Butterworth

William Butterworth is a professional writer of both compelling content copy and fiction. When he isn't rescuing his faithful dog's ball from beneath the sofa, he's busy with his friends playing Dungeons and Dragons or various other nerdy past times. A lover of books, tea, and 1800s fashion, he often feels a small step out of place amid modernity. In the words of Tolkien, all those who wander may not be lost, but William certainly is.

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